Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 7, 2026
Vector Competence Analyses on Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes using Zika Virus
Published on: May 31, 2020
Zika virus and blood transfusion: the experience of French Polynesia
Damien Bierlaire1, Sylvie Mauguin1, Julien Broult2
1Hemovigilance Unit, Tahiti, French Polynesia.
Background:
Between October 2013 and March 2014, French Polynesia experienced the largest Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak ever described before the emergence of ZIKV in the Americas in 2015. As arbovirus transfusion-transmitted (TT) infections have been previously reported, we hypothesized that transfusion of blood products could also transmit ZIKV.
Study Design And Methods:
Mitigation strategies to prevent ZIKV-TT infections included nonspecific measures and the implementation of a laboratory developed ZIKV-specific nucleic acid testing (NAT) assay. Donor sera were tested in pools of 3 and constitutive sera of ZIKV-reactive pools were tested individually. Donor sera were tested prospectively and retrospectively. A posttransfusion follow-up of a patient transfused with ZIKV RNA-reactive blood products was implemented.
Results:
NAT detected 42 blood donor sera as ZIKV RNA reactive of 1505 tested (2.8%). Thirty ZIKV RNA-reactive blood products collected before the implementation of NAT were transfused to 26 recipients. Posttransfusion investigations were conducted by the hemovigilance unit and data were available for 12 recipients. Symptomatic ZIKV-TT infections were not reported.
Conclusion:
Predonation screening of blood donors, postdonation information, products discard, and quarantine of blood products were not effective enough to prevent transfusion of ZIKV RNA-reactive blood products. ZIKV NAT was an effective measure once implemented to prevent transfusion of ZIKV RNA-reactive blood products but it is difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of this measure to prevent ZIKV-TT infection, which is a rare event.
Insights
During a large Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak, nucleic acid testing (NAT) effectively identified ZIKV RNA in blood donors, preventing transfusion of infected products. While ZIKV transfusion-transmitted infections were not observed, NAT proved crucial for blood safety.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- French Polynesia experienced a major Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak from October 2013 to March 2014.
- Previous arbovirus transfusion-transmitted (TT) infections raised concerns about ZIKV transmission via blood products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for ZIKV transfusion transmission during the 2013-2014 outbreak.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation strategies, including ZIKV-specific nucleic acid testing (NAT).
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a ZIKV-specific NAT assay for blood donor screening.
- Prospective and retrospective testing of donor sera, with reactive pools tested individually.
- Posttransfusion follow-up of recipients who received ZIKV RNA-reactive blood products.
Main Results:
- Nucleic acid testing (NAT) detected ZIKV RNA in 2.8% (42/1505) of blood donors.
- Thirty ZIKV RNA-reactive blood products were transfused to 26 recipients prior to full NAT implementation.
- No symptomatic ZIKV transfusion-transmitted infections were reported in the 12 recipients with available follow-up data.
Conclusions:
- Standard blood donation screening and product management were insufficient to prevent transfusion of ZIKV RNA-reactive products.
- ZIKV NAT implementation was effective in preventing the transfusion of ZIKV RNA-reactive blood products.
- Assessing the precise impact of NAT on preventing rare ZIKV transfusion-transmitted infections remains challenging.
